Mayor Cllr Jonathan Simpson, who is Camden’s first openly gay mayor, will help conduct the wedding of Sinclair Treadway, 20, and Sean Adl-Tabatabai, 32, at the town hall at the stroke of midnight, when the new same-sex marriage laws are enacted.

The pair are said to be racing about a dozen other gay couples across the country, including in Islington and Westminster, to become the first to be married after the change in the law.

Two other couples plan to tie the knot at the town hall in Judd Street tomorrow, with ceremonies at 2pm and 6pm.

It represents a landmark moment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community who fought hard to see marriage rights extended to same-sex couples.

Cllr Simpson said: “It’s a huge day and especially significant for myself.

“I remember some of the first protests I attended were demonstrating against Section 28 laws in the 80s, which banned local authorities from promoting homosexuality.

“We’ve come a long way since then and I’m very proud Camden will be one of the first to hold a gay marriage.

“It’s a landmark moment for civil rights and it’s been a long struggle.”

Camden Town Hall will be hoisting the rainbow flag at 6pm this evening to mark the event.